The Coach Diary Football Blog

Author: The Coach Diary

  • Cup Mauling= No benefit to anyone!!

    Cup Mauling= No benefit to anyone!!

    This is a great article by Eamon Scott (Titles are my own) – Last Saturday 4th February,  DDSL Under 11 Premier side St Kevin’s Boys hit nine-goals past a hapless Balbriggan in the Under 11 SFAI Menton Seery Cup. I watched the game with NDSL reporter Ger Brady. By the final whistle, no one could argue that the SKB’s were full value for their win and Balbriggan had been beaten by the better side. We’ve all heard of stirring cup victories against the odds and how the Big Boys have been brought to their knees by lowly opponents. No chance here!

    Time for change

    This is not a criticism of the SFAI but rather a suggestion that Saturday’s affair was no-contest and while you’ve got to enter to win or be beaten, the question has to be asked: what benefit was  there?
    Balbriggan got a hiding that may live with them for quite some time, while St Kevin’s – although falling behind to a second-minute penalty – were never in any danger of losing. The jury therefore is well and truly out on the SFAI Under-11 Menton Seery Cup and the question is whether it is defeating the purpose of the 7-a-side game with a national competition that is not only creating some very one-sided games, but also meaning kids and parents are having to travel across the country for a 9-a-side match.

    Questions need to be asked…

    After a very one-sided game in Balbriggan, surely questions have to be asked about what benefit this competition is to kids setting out on their footballing careers if games can be so lopsided at times. The SFAI must ask themselves whether or not this competition is setting the right example if you are going to have  heavy victory/defeat scorelines?

    Non-competitive

    In the NDSL  Under-11 the matches are non-competitive but as one Balbriggan representative after the game in North County Dublin on Saturday said; “It’s very difficult to tell the kids one week, it’s all about practice and doing things right, and then today telling them something different because they have to win.”
    And certainly for a side like Balbriggan, it can be no benefit having lost by such a heavy margin. Now imagine travelling to Cork or Galway and going through the same thing!

    In the next round, St Kevin’s Boys may face a Cork team at home. In the last-32 draw, Mount Merrion were at home to Salthill Devon from Galway. Malahide had to travel to Clonmel and Belvedere were on the road to Ballyjamesduff!

    One suggestion

    is to limit the competition to clubs with ‘graded’ Academies. That would hopefully take away a lot of the one-sided games, while also pushing clubs to develop academies, meaning more good news for kids in terms of better quality coaching. Surely the small-sided game was brought in to give more kids more of the ball and therefore develop their skills in a better way, and not to have young kids travelling all around the country to play a one-sided match.

    Glory is great, but at what cost?

    Eamon Scott

    (Editor, Evening Herald Striker)

    TCD would like to thank Eamon for allowing me to post this article, which can only benefit and influence the powers to be, to make the changes we so desperately need! (The kids)

  • Austin Speight brought to you By Tsports.ie

    Austin Speight brought to you By Tsports.ie

    Coerver is coming to Newbridge

    Austin Speight is an association football coach and former player. Speight was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and played football for Stockport County, although he did not play a Football League game for them. In the 1981/82 season he played two league games for Finn Harps in the League of Ireland.
    After retiring from his playing career, he coached at West Ham United, Stockport County, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. He has coached all over the World at the highest level but mainly Australia, Ireland, USA, UAE.

    Coaching Background

    Speight holds the UEFA Pro Licence. He is the UK and Ireland director of coaching organisation for Coerver Coaching & the Pro Soccer International Group.

    Coerver

    When: Sunday 19th February 2012
    Where: Newbridge Town Football Club
    Time: 12 to 4pm
    Price: €50 (Includes Coerver DVD)
    What: Intro talk with Power point presentation
    • Ball Mastery, movement, speed, mental and physical, passing and receiving, small sided games etc
    • De-brief with players
    • De-brief with coaches
    • Q&A
    • Questionnaire

    Biography:

    He has worked at the highest level in England since age 28 as a coach & has worked with some of the games biggest names including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Man United latest £20m purchase Phil Jones to name a few.
    Former coach at the following clubs:
    • West Ham United (92-95)
    • Stockport County (95-98)
    • Manchester City (98-99)
    • Blackburn Rovers (99-06)
    • Crewe Alexandra (06-07)

    See Coerver website: http://www.coerver.ie/

    Who are Tsports.ie

    is a new sport suppliers of sports and leisure equipment and sports team wear in Leinster. Our sales policy is a commitment to providing competitive prices, high quality products choice and value in all categories of sport. With over 3,000 products across 3 brands our main brand PUMA we are one of Irelands Premier Sports Equipment Retailer.
    With over 5 years experience we have established contracts, we take great pride in our customer service, and always offer a huge range of products at very competitive prices. Our experienced staff are always on hand to help with any enquiries you may have. Special discounts are available to Sports Clubs and Societies.
    • In house garment printing facility
    • Embroidery service available

    For more information contact:

    Newbridge Co Kildare

    Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 7pm
    Contact: 045-487794 Mobile: 087-4152278
    Sale Rep: 085-1415746
    Email: enquiries@tsports.ie
  • We don’t dribble…

    We don’t dribble…

    Barcelona have changed they way football should be played and most kids football teams try to copy their heroes. Barca are teaching kids the FUNdamentals of the game at a very young age, the kids are allowed to take risks and are encouraged to dribble as much as possible. In fact you could say Iberian kids in general.

    Lately I listen to coaches who are trying to play a one and two touch game, which is great to watch and has its benefits. My only concern is that, young players and being told to pass too quickly and this is discouraging them getting on the ball and attempting to dribble. It is stops them from running at players, as they look to pass instead.

    Spain

    Recently I spoke with a Spanish national coach and he told me that the young players are first tough how to control the ball, they get a feel for it and are always encouraged to dribble. “we play alot of 2v2 and 3v3 and this allows kids to show off their skills”, he also stressed that “it is important that children are thought from a young age to enjoy the ball and that dribbling and beating players is part of the game, in the end its the goals they love best about the game and dribbles create goals”

    The fact of the matter is Spanish kids are dribbling from a young and encouraged to do so all the way up. As they get older and the game gets more tactical, they are thought where and when to dribble and when to hold or pass. As they are generally small by nature, their balance and agility is usually exceptional compared to Irish and English kids, who are generally more powerful and direct, due to the way we coach and play.

    Time for change

    It seems to me we are working in a different cycle, we start with power and then try to teach technique and as we all know teaching any child the technique to perform a skill  is always best done at a younger age!

    We need to dig deep into our development system and re-structure the youth development programmes, with competitive football playing a huge part in why we don’t produce enough technically gifted individuals.

    There is no point in certain junior clubs implementing the right ideas and other not following or having the structures to do so. We need to be singing from the same hymn sheet and that goes for everyone across this small island of ours.

    We still have so much to learn and learn we can!

    -end

    I always like to hear your opinions. Please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com, if you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend.

    Thanks for reading. I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary

  • Manchester City Academy soon to be one of Europes best!

    Manchester City Academy soon to be one of Europes best!

    Spending only a couple of minutes with Scott Sellars and you will immediately feel the passion this man has for football. Scott who himself had a fantastic career is now head of Academy coaching at MCFC.

    He also looks after the under 18s squad, a team made up of mostly 16 years old, which also includes former St Kevins Boys and Irish International player Jack Byrne, who we had the pleasure to meet during our visit to Platt Lane.  Jack who is just back from injury, made the time to speak to us and describe his time at city so far, just like all the staff and players at City he was most obliging and very welcoming.

    Money

    Despite the their vast wealth, the club is investing huge amounts of money in its new training academy to develop young footballing talent for the future; Scott mentioned that “spending large sums and buying in world class talent for the premiership side is simply ‘not sustainable’ and the owners have made us as well aware of this”.

    To date City has given over 30 former academy players first-team debuts since the academy was founded in 1998. Most of these players have become internationals and key players with other premiership and English leagues clubs. This is something Scott and the staff at the club hope to improve on in the coming years. There aim is to have a first team of several academy players.

    Family Club

    The 11 coaches on the trip were given access all areas and the hospitality was second to none. The coaches made up of mainly NDSL coaching delegation, including Academy Director John Farrell and Head of Coaching Mitch Whitty were made most welcome by Scott Sellars and his staff.  We sat and listened to Scott for nearly 3 hours whilst he described the new philosophy at the academy, the structured coaching and the friendly atmosphere they want want to continue to portray. Some of what they are doing, reminded me of Sporting CP and FC Barcelona academies, with huge emphasis on technical development and ball retention.

    The Future is Light Blue

    He spoke about the structure of all ages and how they want to create a similar set-up to that of FCB. City’s ambitious plans are far from a dream and reality is already under way with the construction of the new academy yards from the City of Manchester stadium.

    The New academy will consist of 10 full size pitches, 4 small sided pitches,  all-weather, an indoor arena, a bowl, a mini stadium, a gym, changing rooms, club-house, accommodation and lots more

    Whilst at Platt lane we also took in u6s up to u18s sessions over the weekend and what a pleasure it was to see the same style of quick passing football being played throughout club. Everything that Scott spoke about was evident to see in practice. Rarely was a ball played over knee high or more then 15 yards.

    Every player in every position was able to move the ball with speed, accuracy and power. Each of the training sessions was well planned, structured and flowed with little coaching allows the game to be the teacher.

    Liverpool

    We watched the u18s prepare for their game with Liverpool scheduled for the following day; city had a plan to play quick free flowing football at an unbelievable pace and press quickly to win back possession when lost. It was great to see how this worked so well at Kirby the following morning. City were outstanding in the 1st half taking  the lead early and then almost going 2 up soon after. In the end Liverpool came back late on and snatched a 1-1 draw.

    Scott had mentioned to us the previous day that he had nothing to hide; this was not a new way just keeping things very simple and doing them over and over again. They work on a 6 week cycle and all the coaches are keeping to the same process right through the academy.

    This packed weekend organised by David Berber of DB Sports Tours, also included two English premier league games; Bolton v Liverpool and City V Spurs.

    As well as coaching, training, watching various junior academy teams and a Q&A with Scott and his staff. We also got invited to the Academy lounge to meet and greet some of City’s young stars (Marco Paulo Mesquital Lopes, Jack Byrne, Jose Angel Pozo, Ian Lawlor, Jordi Hiwula) of the future, before heading into witness an outstanding game of football, and a win for City….which ended in all the coaches doing the POZnan!

    A tremendous weekend had by all!

  • FCB The Style We Believe – Video

    FCB The Style We Believe – Video

    Video By Lenny

    [media id=25]

  • Coerver Weekend in Galway – February 25th 2012

    Coerver Weekend in Galway – February 25th 2012

    Hey Folks,

    Back after a long break; one that was not planned but enjoyed all the same. I hope you all had a nice Christmas and New Year. Personally I’m glad to see the back of 2011 and very much looking forward to a successful year for all!

    I’m off to Man City on Thursday for  coaching Clinic organised by DB Sports Tours, so i’m very much looking forward to that also.

    If your not going then you can always save you money for Coerver Galway or maybe ask your club to fund part of it, it is a great course for any coach who believes in teaching kids the techniques required to be a great footballer.

    Coerver Ireland

    Following the successful launch of the Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma in the UK and Ireland in 2011, Coerver Coaching will be holding its first ever diploma in the west of Ireland at Mervue United FC on Saturday February 25th and Sunday February 26th 2012.

    Such has been the success of the diploma to date that Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Real Madrid will be hosting the same course for their staff in 2012.

    In 2011

    the diploma was attended by grassroots and professional coaches from all over the world. Some of the attendees included Fulham Manager Martin Jol, former Republic of Ireland international David Connolly, and Real Madrid 1st team coach Jose Morais.

    To read a review of the 2011 Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma please view the following link:

    http://www.coerver.co.uk/blog/2011/09/17/coerver-coaching-youth-diploma-review-summer-2011

    The Youth Diploma

    at Mervue United will see Coerver Coaching Co-Founder Charlie Cooke providing expert tuition to all attendees. Charlie is a former Scottish international and played for 11 years at Chelsea where he won the English F.A. Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup. He shares the Chelsea club record of three “Player of The Year” awards with Gianfranco Zola, and in 2005 he was selected for the Chelsea All Time XI.

    The Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma is open to coaches at all levels of the game.

    The cost of the diploma is €229 EURO and includes the new 5 disc Coerver Coaching Session Planner DVD worth €70. (The times were in, it would seem like a lot of money to most; an idea might be to get your club to part fund it, for any club that has coaches teaching the Coerver way will certainly benefit the players long term)*TCD

    To book a place on the Youth Diploma email Anthony O’Neill at anthony.oneill@coerver.ie or call 087 949 6293.

    **********************************************************************************************************

    For more information about Coerver Coaching’s  developments in 2011 please view the following links:

    Interview with Real Madrid First Team Coach Jose Morais. Jose is a former coach at Inter Milan and Benfica and attended the Youth Diploma in Birmingham.

    Coerver Coaching Partnership with Stoke City FC

    **********************************************************************************************************

    *The above Information was provided by Coerver Coaching Ireland

  • Some people involved in football in this country would be locked up, if they acted like that on the streets..

    Some people involved in football in this country would be locked up, if they acted like that on the streets..

    Every week, I hear and read stories of games being abandoned through parents and coaches getting involved incidents relating to kids football. It is truly as very sad state of affairs when police have to be called to a game where kids are in danger of getting hurt. What has happened to child protection in this country?

    If I or you or even, your child was threaten in the same manner that some parents and coaches consistently do in kids football, we would be arrested and charged on the spot.

    So, tell me? Why to clubs, parents, coaches and kids tolerate the abuse that is handed out to them every weekend all over Ireland and why aren’t the culprits reprimanded or discharged from their duties or even fined and banned for life.

    We need to take a tougher stance and ban this people that consistently cause havoc on the sidelines every weekend. Its time to take action and clubs should be the ones setting the standards. After all, they are the ones who should be protecting the kids and there own clubs reputation.

    We need to protect the kids and the game…

    FAI

    The FAI should be setting tougher rules and demand that the leagues apply them to all registered clubs, with a zero tolerance policy. I have said it on numerous occasions, the FAI need to take control and restructer the game, and stamp out this culture of abusing kids, referees etc. Its time we start setting proper standards for our players, coaches and anyone interested in getting involved with Grassroots football.

    Parents and Coaches

    We need to stamp out the competitive mentality that some coaches and parents bring to the game at the youngest ages, its not good for the kids and certainly not good for their development of football in this country. Some parents and coached just need to SHUT UP!!

    Parents and Coaches all over Ireland need to get educated in the game, and a minimum standard for both should be required before they can join a club. Referees also play a big part in games and they should be given more responsibility and also be educated further, with regular training on the main issues that consistently stop them from doing there job.

    Would you let an ADULT verbally abuse a child in a PLAYGROUND………, then why do we allow it to happen on a football PITCH??

    This all goes back to competitive football starting way to soon in this country!